A senior official announced on Thursday (September 18, 2025) that Syria is on track to finalize pivotal security and military agreements with Israel this year. This remarkable development marks a potential turning point, occurring less than a year after the dramatic ousting of Bashar al-Assad.
Amidst a strong push from the United States for a lasting settlement between the two nations, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has traveled to Washington. His agenda includes discussions on the ongoing negotiations with Israel and the potential removal of outstanding sanctions imposed on Syria, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Despite still being technically in a state of war, Syria and Israel initiated direct talks following the fall of Assad’s regime to an Islamist-led coalition last December. These negotiations represent a rare opportunity for peace in a historically volatile region.
Speaking anonymously due to restrictions on briefing the media, the official confirmed “significant progress in the talks with Israel.” They further revealed that several key agreements are anticipated to be formally signed “by the end of the year.”
The focus of these upcoming pacts, the official informed AFP, will primarily be on “security and military agreements.” A critical component of these negotiations is expected to be “an agreement to halt Israeli military operations inside Syrian territory,” signaling a move towards de-escalation and stability.